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Have any of you ever heard of these car beds?

Grants Help Premature Babies Leave

As a mom of a relatively new preemie, I was so excited to read this article. All of the programs being funded in this article are much needed and will be greatly appreciated.

Although it's too late to help me out, I'll be sure to pass the knowledge about the car beds on to others. (not necesarily about the grant, but the beds in general)

When we left the NICU our son was just over 5 lbs and did not fit in his carseat at all! We made it as small as possible, put rolled up burp cloths under his bottom and around his head and it was still too big for him. That was a real source of stress for hubby and I for the first few weeks. Now that he's 8 weeks old and up to a whopping 7 lbs. 12 oz. he's finally starting to fit a little bit better, but I know it would have given us peace of mind if we had had access to the car beds.

Yes, I have heard of these seats. However, I was like you and didn't hear about them until my girls were past the point of needing the special carseats. Both of my daughters were a little over 5 pounds when we left the nicu. We used rolled up blankets and also bought pillows called "zakys" that helped position the babies a little better. No matter what we did, they definitely did not fit correctly! Another option would have been nice.

It is strange, but even though I have heard of these carseat beds, I have yet to see a mom use one (and I know a lot of preemie moms). I wonder why they are not pushed a little more if they are considered more safe for new preemies. I know that cost is often an issue, but I am sure if someone would have explained the option to me, I would have found a way to buy one.

quote:

Originally posted by bartowmom:
It is strange, but even though I have heard of these carseat beds, I have yet to see a mom use one (and I know a lot of preemie moms). I wonder why they are not pushed a little more if they are considered more safe for new preemies. I know that cost is often an issue, but I am sure if someone would have explained the option to me, I would have found a way to buy one.

I wondered the same thing after reading it again. When we were leaving the NICU we even asked several nurses if they made special car seats for preemies and what other parents did for their kids. We knew we didn't have the only preemie so surely there was another option, but none of the nurses knew about (or atleast they didn't tell us) these beds. Like you we would have been happy to pay whatever we needed to for that extra security. I'm really surprised none of them seemed to know about these since this was not even two months ago, they had to have already applied for the grant at that point.

I love this information. Thank you littleT for educating us all on this. I have a friend that may be delivering early- I will pass this info on to her.

The hospital may have applied for these grants and the nursing staff doesn't even know. I brought them my copy of this article because they didn't know it was in the paper. I am curious when these carbeds will be donated, maybe I can make use of one. I have heard of them because I did some research on nicu and preemie products, but I have never tried to buy one. My son is in the NICU right now and will be until January. I am nervous about driving him home, and I am really glad that the pediatrician is so closeby. I would probably feel better knowing he is secure, but I will probably just be riding in the backseat watching him like a hawk and only take him out if I have to.

Lilliesmom - since you said you've been doing some research you may have already come across this, but another product I've seen (unfortunately after the fact again) is a 'Hug Me Joey Infant Support.'

I know how nerve wracking that ride home is so I hope you find something to help ease your nerves before your little one gets to go home!

For those who haven't seen these beds that are being discussed, here is a link...

Angel Ride Infant Car Bed

They aren't nearly as expensive as I would have expected either.

This is not really about the beds, but kind of on the same topic. I was at a meeting with a few preemie moms from Tampa on Friday and we were talking about these beds. The other moms starting talking about how the "car seat test" delayed their babies going home. I have heard of the "car seat test" before and this article clearly describes it, but I didn't realize that EVERYBODY had to do it at other hospitals. Neither of my girls ever had a "car seat test" at LRMC. The other moms were shocked. They were also shocked that I didn't have to take a CPR class before discharge. Did anyone else from LRMC have the same experience as me? My only guess is that because they are a level II NICU they don't have to follow the same guidelines as the Level III NICUs in Tampa and Orlando. But I still find it confusing that this article describes the carseat test as something that every preemie does when that doesn't seem to be the case at LRMC.

Little T- I agree, those beds are a lot more affordable than I would have guessed! Especially with having two preemies, it would have been a great investment for me.

I know my preemie didn't have to do a carseat test at LRMC either. Like I said before, he obviously didn't fit very well and they just told us to put towels around him. Even my husband was nervous about him being in there (and those that know my husband know he's pretty laid back).

We also didn't have to take a CPR class, as a matter of fact it wasn't even mentioned. The only thing that was "highly suggested" for us at LRMC was to get a flu shot for everyone else in the house before my son was discharged.

LRMC does not do the carseat test. I asked about it the other day and they don't. I think they said it has been discussed though. LRMC doesn't even allow babies to leave in a carseat, they have to be carried out by a parent. They do make sure you have a carseat though. Thanks for the suggestion Little T, I have a support for newborns but nothing esspecially for preemies yet so I will look into that.